February 22, 2012

Roseville police today arrested a son in the killing of his father last May.

Christopher Dale Northam, 44, was fatally shot May 30 at the warehouse in Roseville where he was about to open an innovative new business: indoor skim-boarding. Northam had at least one gunshot wound to his head.

This morning detectives arrested Christopher Jon Michael Northam, 25, of Roseville, on a warrant charging him with the homicide of his father.

The son's ex-wife, Averill Elizabeth Easley, 34, of Roseville was also arrested on a warrant charging that she was an accessory after the fact. She is suspected of giving false and misleading information to police about key facts.

At the time of his death, Northam was reportedly negotiating with a major investor from Dubai who was interested in helping launch and expand the business.

Dubbed Skim X, the venture aimed to combine skim-boarding and skateboarding in an indoor water park. Northam was a partner in the business with his son, Christopher.

Roseville police conducted a nearly 9-month investigation, which included witness interviews, search warrants, the examination of financial records and the elimination of other potential suspects, according to a department press release.

In the end, police said, detectives concluded that the elder Northam was killed by his son for financial gain, according to a press release.
PHOTO CAPTION: Christopher Dale Northam

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